Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and manager Alex Ferguson have patched up their differences

My advice to him is that I always think the union is stronger than any individual

Sir Alex Ferguson

Far from calling time on the ­defender – as he has done in ­previous spats with his players – the ­Manchester United manager will even be offering him a new deal.

He is, in fact, backing Ferdinand. But former union delegate Fergie ­believes the central defender should make his stand as part of a group, rather than as an individual.

Fergie once led a toolmakers’ strike when he was involved in union work in Glasgow and his one-for-all ­philosophy is still with him today.

But the United chief still believes Ferdinand was wrong to disobey his orders by refusing to wear the Kick It Out T-shirt with the rest of his team-mates before Saturday’s game against Stoke.

Ferdinand refused to wear the shirt in support of the ­organisation ­working towards racial equality in the game as he believes it should be doing more. Other Premier League ­players made a ­similar protest.

But Ferguson said: “My advice to him is that I always think the union is stronger than any individual.

“You are always stronger as a ­union. There’s more solidarity than as a single unit, and that is where I stand.

“I have listened to the conviction of Rio and I think it is quite compelling. I can understand his stance.

“The advice I would give is he should take it up with the proper ­authorities and make his voice heard. It is only through that that people will listen.

“It is important he airs his ­grievances to the right people, through the Professional Footballers’ Association or the FA.

“It has been a communication ­problem, rather than anything else.

“Obviously, as the manager of the club, when you lay down policy, you don’t want to see it being ignored – and that’s where my anger came on Saturday.”

But that anger has subsided and 33-year-old Ferdinand will not, ­unlike other players who have crossed ­Fergie in the past, be ushered ­towards the exit door.

Dutch defender Jaap Stam was moved on after claiming in a book that he was ‘tapped up’ by United ­before he joined the club from PSV Eindhoven.

Roy Keane left after a series of outbursts, while David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy also ­departed after relations with Fergie grew frosty.

But while Ferdinand will not play in the Champions League game against Braga at Old Trafford, his ­future looks secure.

Tonight’s omission is purely a ­tactical one in order to keep him fresh for the important visit to table-topping Chelsea on Sunday.

Ferguson sees Ferdinand carrying on beyond this season and said: “Rio can play for two or three years.

“He is not as quick as he was, but that is not a big issue for me. His ­experience is important and there is no reason he can’t stay on.”

Ferguson looks likely to ring the changes tonight, but with Chris Smalling still out with a broken ­metatarsal, his defensive options are limited.

His decision not to play ­Ferdinand could see Jonny Evans paired with rookie Scott Wootton, while Ashley Young took part in training and could return from a knee ­injury suffered in August.

United have started their European campaign with a 100 per cent record following victories over Galatasaray and Cluj.

On the threat posed by Braga, ­Ferguson said: “To my mind, they are better away from home and they showed that by beating Galatasaray. It’s not easy going to Turkey.

“In the modern Euro­pean game, counter-attack is the issue. Hopefully, we can deal with that issue.”